how to make an 8 year old like reef tanks?

Did she give a reason as to why she was trying to catch the fish in the first place? As a mom my reason for asking this is learning how she thinks will give you knowledge on how to teach

It's also a possibility that she's vying for your attention by way of your tank.

 

WOW..that makes so much sense...are you an educator as well as a mom...I guess in reality one mirrors the other...nice post..profound. : )

 

Lol I have this in my tank with corals attached that my boy picked out! But it keeps his eyes on the tank! He wants the gsp to grow like hair on it!

 

Get her a 5g nano freshwater planted!

 

A FW planted tank would be awesome, try showing her the AGA aquascaping contest tanks
.They are some of the best in the world! Try a 5 or 2.5 gallon with a HOB filter and a PC light. CRS and cherry shrimps, badis, ottos, etc are great.
AGA Aquascaping Contest

 

That link is awesome...I would have never thought they could look so beautiful.
Thanx for sharing that.

 

My 4 yr old loves my tank. She has had a 10g reef of her own in her room, but now she has a betta tank.
i think the big thing is to get them involved. My daughter helps with water changes, feeds the fish, cleans the glass, ect...
I also let her pick some of her own corals out and she also has a Gary (spongebob) in the corner of the tank.

Big thing is to tell them what they cant do. She knows she can open the doors and look in the sump and check the water level or check the protein skimmer out, but she also knows if she touches anything down there she will be in BIG trouble. It also helps that she gets kinda freaked out about touching the water when im not helping her.
Just go slow and teach a little bit at a time, dont over do it, let them learn at there own pace

 

wow, that sounds great. i think she likes things that move though, so maybe a 5 gallon with a few sexy shrimp? should be close to no bioload and i could get a few ricordeas from my tank for it.

 

these all are great ideas, thanks so much. i fresh is much cheaper and i have all the stuff for a low tech planted. that is a really cool link, i love the big tanks on there. she has picked out the biggest snail in my tank, its a jumbo turbo that she named gary. i dont know how she stays so interested in it, but she does.

nana: i never did find out why she was trying to catch it, ill ask her.

 

I keep little brother (jack) interested by letting him pet my snails. He is just a silly little guy, and lets them crawl all over him.

Lol